U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R, TX-01) recently introduced the RESTORE Patents Rights Act, aimed at strengthening protections for American innovators. (Contributed Photo)

From Staff Reports

VeraBank promotes three leaders to key executive roles

VeraBank recently announced the promotion of Andrew Adams to Executive Vice President and Regional Chairman of the West Region; Alex Hammond to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer; and Jon Moore to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Approval Officer.

Adams is a 25-year veteran in banking and specializes in commercial loans.

“Andrew not only brings a wealth of banking experience to his position,” said VeraBank CEO Brad Tidwell. “As a Tyler native, he also has built strong relationships with deep roots which is key to achieving growth in our West Region.”

“Helping my customers has always been a very rewarding part of my job,” Adams added.

When not at the bank, Adams sits on various boards such as Hospice of East Texas, East Texas State Fair, and the Mosaic Counseling Center. He also enjoys spending his free time outdoors with his wife and two children.

Hammond is a native Texan and a Baylor graduate with over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry.

“Developing opportunities across Texas is a high priority,” Tidwell said. “And Alex’s expertise in credit and commercial loans is invaluable to the success of that effort.”

Hammond resides in Tyler and is active in civic and community events including board memberships for Children’s Village, PATH and Junior Achievement. He is also involved with the Green Acres Baptist Church.

Moore, a 30-year banker specializing in Commercial Banking, Private Banking, Investment Banking, and Credit Risk Management, joined VeraBank in 2013. He has been responsible for helping grow and manage the bank’s Commercial and Consumer Loan Portfolio, and he serves on the bank’s various senior executive management committees.

He is a graduate of Baylor University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and McColl School of Business at Queens University in Charlotte, NC.

“Jon brings an unmatched amount of experience and knowledge to this position,” Tidwell said. “His dedication, commitment, and leadership will continue to contribute greatly to VeraBank’s future growth and success.”

Moore is an active community member serving on several boards over the past 30 years including Promise Academy, East Texas State Fair, Mentoring Alliance, Tyler Economic Development Corp, The Children’s Village, East Texas Crisis Center, and RMA Texas Chapter board.

UT Health welcomes two new physicians

Jose Serpa, MD, PhD

UT Health East Texas Physicians is expanding infectious disease services in Tyler with the addition of Jose Serpa, MD, PhD.

“I am dedicated to providing compassionate, holistic care, emphasizing evidence-based medicine and collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists to ensure the best outcomes for our patients,” Dr. Serpa said. “As an infectious disease specialist, I have extensive experience in HIV medicine, surgical infections and tropical medicine, as well as a strong interest in medical education.”

Dr. Serpa’s journey into healthcare began with a desire to serve the community and positively impact quality of life, knowing that a career in medicine would allow him to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many people.

“I was drawn to infectious diseases by the potential to treat, prevent and even eradicate highly prevalent communicable diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings,” he said. “This specialty allows me to make a meaningful impact not only on individual patients but also on the health of entire communities.”

Dr. Serpa is welcoming patients at 11937 US Hwy. 271 in Tyler. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-877-7916.

Francine McCain, MD

UT Health East Texas is expanding obstetrics and gynecological services in Athens with the addition of Francine McCain, MD.

“Driven by a commitment to equitable, cost-effective healthcare, I believe in using my skills, education and training to benefit the community I serve,” Dr. McCain said. “I am continually fascinated by the workings of the human body, and I find it rewarding to share this knowledge with my patients, helping them make informed decisions about their health.”

Dr. McCain’s areas of expertise include adolescent care, contraceptive counseling, family planning, treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids and managing conditions such as preeclampsia. She provides a range of in-office procedures, including contraceptive options, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, obstetrics and gynecology ultrasounds and minimally invasive surgeries for treating abnormal uterine bleeding.

“Obstetrics and gynecology appeals to me for its diversity; it allows me to offer primary care, perform both major and minor surgeries, conduct ultrasounds and experience the profound role of delivering babies,” she said. “This range enables me to serve patients across various stages of life with comprehensive, personalized care.”

Dr. McCain is welcoming patients at 1123 S. Palestine, Ste. 100 in Athens. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 903-676-5553.

UT Health announces sale of HealthFirst TPA, affiliates

UT Health East Texas has announced the sale of HealthFirst TPA (Third Party Administrator) and two related companies, Medical Management Solutions (MM Solutions, Inc.) and Risk Funding Alternatives (RFA, Inc.), to Imagine360, an integrated health plan provider specializing in self-funded health solutions for employers.

Effective Dec. 31, 2024, the transaction positions HealthFirst and its affiliates for strategic expansion in the East Texas market, the health system said.

“We’re thrilled about the complementary capabilities of HealthFirst and Imagine360 that will enable HealthFirst to continue thriving in East Texas and beyond,” said Donald Baker, UT Health East Texas regional president. “We’re excited that HealthFirst will remain a valued service provider for UT Health East Texas.”

All HealthFirst employees have been retained by Imagine360, with plans to relocate the main office to 6101 South Broadway within the next three months.

According to Jeff Bak, president and CEO of Imagine 360, adding HealthFirst’s expertise and technology to Imagine360’s existing capabilities will benefit self-funded employers in East Texas and nationally.

“We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with UT Health East Texas and look forward to continuing to serve HealthFirst customers while utilizing HealthFirst’s strengths to further enhance Imagine360’s offerings,” Bak added.

Cindy Klein, chief operating officer of HealthFirst, said the transition strengthens HealthFirst’s ability to serve East Texas and surrounding regions.

Details regarding the terms of the sale were not publicly disclosed.

Prothro, Wilhelmi and Company announces partner

AJ Evans, CPA, has been named a partner at Prothro, Wilhelmi and Company, CPAs, announced Walter K. Wilhelmi and Kristi Moore, partners of the firm.

“We are excited to announce the addition of AJ Evans as a partner of the firm,” said said Walter K. Wilhelmi, CPA. “AJ’s dedication to client success, loyalty to staff, and involvement in our community align perfectly with the firm’s mission and values.”

Evans joined Prothro, Wilhelmi & Company in January 2019 and has served the firm as an Assurance Manager since 2021. He completed his CPA examinations and licensure in Louisiana in June 2018, becoming the fourth CPA in two generations of his family. Evans began his career at a large regional firm in Shreveport, where he focused on audits of governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations, and financial institutions.

His current areas of practice include audits of financial statements for local governments, school districts, not-for-profit organizations, and employee benefit plans. Additionally, he assists with internal audit and consulting engagements for several local financial institutions. Evans also works with small businesses, including partnerships and S Corps, as well as individuals and trusts, providing tax preparation services and assisting with tax strategies and key planning.

A native of Tyler, Evans graduated from Grace Community School and earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. During college summers, he was on staff at Pine Cove Christian Camps, where he enjoyed serving campers alongside other college staff.

In 2022, Evans was honored as a Rising Star by the Texas Society of CPAs. This recognition is awarded to CPA members aged 40 and under who demonstrate outstanding leadership and make significant contributions to the accounting profession and their communities.

Deeply involved in the Tyler community, Evans currently serves as President of the East Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs and as Treasurer of Heart of Tyler after several years of board service. He is also a member of the Finance Committee for Leadership Tyler and an alumnus of Leadership Tyler Class 33.

Prothro, Wilhelmi and Company is a leading certified public accounting firm based in Tyler located at 6855 Oak Hill Boulevard. More information about the firm is available at www.pw-tx.com or by calling 903-534-8811.

Moran recognized on Susan B. Anthony List

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, of the First Congressional District, was awarded an “A+” rating on the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List National Pro-Life Scorecard for consistently championing pro-life values through his voting record and actions during the 118th Congress.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Susan B. Anthony List for voting to defend life and strongly represent pro-life values,” said Moran, a Whitehouse native. “East Texans, consistent with our Judeo-Christian foundation and unwavering Biblical precepts, are strongly pro-life, and I am proud to represent these moral principles in Congress.”

Moran added, “We must be relentless in defending the lives of children, both before and after birth. Life is precious, and we must defend it.”